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Mnangagwa calls for international respect for Mozambique's sovereign will
29 Dec 2024 at 08:44hrs | Views
President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the current Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), has urged the international community to respect the sovereign will of the people of Mozambique following the ruling by the country's Constitutional Council, which upheld the results of the October 2024 elections. The ruling affirmed the governing Frelimo party's continued dominance, with Daniel Chapo confirmed as the next president.
In a statement issued after the ruling, President Mnangagwa emphasized the importance of respecting the decision and supporting Mozambique's ongoing processes toward peace, law, and order. He also highlighted the need for all stakeholders to constructively support the country's democratic processes.
"The Southern African Development Community (SADC) urges the international community to respect the sovereign will of the people and the Republic of Mozambique," President Mnangagwa said. "We encourage all concerned to constructively support the processes towards peace, law, and order which the country and people sorely need and deserve."
The Constitutional Council's ruling on Monday confirmed that Daniel Chapo of the Frelimo party won 65 percent of the vote in the October elections, while his main challenger, Venancio Mondlane, secured 24 percent. This decision brings closure to the electoral dispute and reaffirms Frelimo's decades-long hold on power.
President Mnangagwa acknowledged that the ruling had exhausted all lawful processes in determining the election results, in line with Mozambique's national laws and SADC's election guidelines. He called on all parties to abide by the decision, which he believes will facilitate peace, stability, and normalcy for the people of Mozambique.
"The ruling by Mozambique's top electoral court completes and exhausts all lawful processes in determining election results, and SADC expects all parties to respect this decision," the President stated. "This ruling provides a constitutional way forward for the country, promoting peace and stability in the interest of all Mozambicans."
The President also reiterated that SADC stands ready to assist the government and people of Mozambique in consolidating their democracy based on the court's decision. He underscored the importance of upholding the rule of law as a foundation for stability in the region.
"SADC stands ready to assist the incoming Government and people of Mozambique in consolidating their electoral democracy," President Mnangagwa said. "This is what the rule of law is all about, and it must be upheld by all."
Despite Chapo's decisive victory and his party's strengthened parliamentary majority, opposition groups, led by Mondlane, have refused to accept the results, resulting in sporadic protests in major urban centers, especially in the gas-rich southern regions of Mozambique.
The 2024 elections in Mozambique have been part of a broader trend across the SADC region, where democratic processes have largely been peaceful, though some exceptions remain. President Mnangagwa hailed the developments as a testament to the growing strength of democracy in Southern Africa.
In a statement issued after the ruling, President Mnangagwa emphasized the importance of respecting the decision and supporting Mozambique's ongoing processes toward peace, law, and order. He also highlighted the need for all stakeholders to constructively support the country's democratic processes.
"The Southern African Development Community (SADC) urges the international community to respect the sovereign will of the people and the Republic of Mozambique," President Mnangagwa said. "We encourage all concerned to constructively support the processes towards peace, law, and order which the country and people sorely need and deserve."
The Constitutional Council's ruling on Monday confirmed that Daniel Chapo of the Frelimo party won 65 percent of the vote in the October elections, while his main challenger, Venancio Mondlane, secured 24 percent. This decision brings closure to the electoral dispute and reaffirms Frelimo's decades-long hold on power.
President Mnangagwa acknowledged that the ruling had exhausted all lawful processes in determining the election results, in line with Mozambique's national laws and SADC's election guidelines. He called on all parties to abide by the decision, which he believes will facilitate peace, stability, and normalcy for the people of Mozambique.
The President also reiterated that SADC stands ready to assist the government and people of Mozambique in consolidating their democracy based on the court's decision. He underscored the importance of upholding the rule of law as a foundation for stability in the region.
"SADC stands ready to assist the incoming Government and people of Mozambique in consolidating their electoral democracy," President Mnangagwa said. "This is what the rule of law is all about, and it must be upheld by all."
Despite Chapo's decisive victory and his party's strengthened parliamentary majority, opposition groups, led by Mondlane, have refused to accept the results, resulting in sporadic protests in major urban centers, especially in the gas-rich southern regions of Mozambique.
The 2024 elections in Mozambique have been part of a broader trend across the SADC region, where democratic processes have largely been peaceful, though some exceptions remain. President Mnangagwa hailed the developments as a testament to the growing strength of democracy in Southern Africa.
Source - the chronicle
